Repairing old outboard control cables with new wire.

[Beno]

I have a few of these outboard control cables that the wire breaks off

And there’s quite a bit of wire left inside the cable but it’s not the right length anymore. So it’s no good.

The outside cable casings (the black rubbery area) are actually just fine.

I took my micrometer and I come back with .074 inches.  (See pics) According to the standard gauge tables this is about 13 gauge wire?

Has anyone got any experience with doing this??   What kind of material are these wires in control cables made of?…it can’t be straight steel it’ll be rusting….  aluminum would be too weak…. so it’s got to be some grade of stainless?

Must be a very special grade of stainless because these wires are strong! and typical stainless is not the strongest material.

This seems like a simple task but boy I can’t find stainless steel 13 gauge wire very easily.

[frankr]

I’ve repaired lots of them back in “The Day”.  You could buy the wire in 100′ rolls from OMC.  Matter of fact, I used to save the broken wire and use it to repair shorter cables.  Yes, it is stainless steel, I don’t know the grade.

[frankr]

It was part number 376971

 

[frankr]

Try   https://www.mcmaster.com/wire/

[Beno]

I’ll check it out.  Thanks!

[bob-d]

frankr wrote:

It was part number 376971

 

Frank, the info you have tucked away in the back of your brain is amazing.

Bob D

[Author]

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